Why Standing Rock Activism is Even More Urgent than I Realized

Photo attribution:  John Duffy via Wikimedia Creative Commons

For most of my life, as a science-based person, systems thinker and spiritual seeker, my worldview has extended to include the long-term and the subtle, interconnected impacts of any choice we are making as a humanity.  I cannot hold up blinders to those impacts once I know about them. When I do a risk/benefit analysis of tar sands pipelines with the information I have, cautionary flags rise up all over the place.  This is why, when I heard Van Jones recently framing the conflict at Standing Rock in terms of "Water is life. Oil is death," it immediately resonated. 

Energy is a huge sector of human activity, so our energy choices have global and long-term impacts we all should care about. Even if something is sold to us as "clean'" and "safe," we need to make sure we dig a little deeper to find out how clean and safe it really is during extraction, processing, waste and transport. I have, and what oil sands spell to me is death, not only to animals near the waste water trailing ponds, but in many other ways for humanity and planet both. Oil from tar sands comes with huge actual risks at every single step in the extraction, refining, transport and consumption cycle. 

It is convenient to ignore these "hidden" impacts until they begin to affect your daily life personally (which they are doing now as climate disruption, oil-spill contaminated water and rising cancer rates), but I simply don't think that closing our eyes to the bigger, longer picture is a luxury we can afford anymore. 

Industry rhetoric about short term economic and strategic gains for our country or citizens is a way to keep us distracted from asking our important and reasonable questions: Where does the waste go? How long does it take to detoxify? What happens if there is a leak? Will the contaminated water ever be drinkable again? How expensive is the cleanup and who actually pays for it? So to me, Standing Rock is about far more than energy or the environment or even indigenous rights, though all of those matter to me deeply. It is an issue of citizen empowerment for us all. It is an issue of our right to access all of the information and to have our questions answered not after, but well before risks are taken and negative impacts are made. I think we are reaching an "enough is enough" moment when we are sick and tired of being neither informed nor consulted about issues that affect us and our children.  

This week, Robert J. Kennedy Jr. pinpointed what may well be the single most urgent reason we must act immediately to stop DAPL. This information was new to me and I am sure is new to most Americans. The oil companies know that once the huge investment has been made in the pipeline infrastructure, this ensures oil dependency will drag on for a very, very long time. Why? Because the money the banks are investing in DAPL come from stockholders and pension funds - you, me and our neighbors, relatives and friends. Investment of this size by the banks on pensioners' and stockholders' behalf creates a "too big to abandon" financial crash scenario, in essence setting up a situation in the near future where we will need to choose between economic collapse and abandoning oil pipelines. 

Standing with Standing Rock is therefore an urgent and timely imperative before more of our money is invested by the banks. We have seen this tactic before, when an industry shields itself from right action by fashioning itself to be "too big to fail," threatening to take us all down with it unless we offer a taxpayer-funded bailout.  this is economic blackmail, plain and simple. The longer we wait to oppose the pipelines, the less choice we will have for a very, very long time to move toward cleaner, cheaper energy.

The bottom line is that citizens cannot be empowered if we don't have access to all the facts. It is very disturbing to take in this information, and I understand why anyone might rather not. I was once a person who would rather not look. At that time, I preferred to think that companies the mainstream media and governments were independent, honest and had my back. But I can no longer pretend that they are or do. It has taken awhile, but I have gotten over the shock and built up my strength and resolve. 

And now, there are so many more people ready to stand by your side when you are ready to rise up, including me.  So you are never alone. Ample support is always available. 

If you'd prefer to bury your head in the (tar)sand, I get it. Instead of making you my enemy (because I know that you are not), my wish is simply to share information with you to help you to make an informed opinion of your own. For example, if you have not seen what a trailing pond looks like, it is important to take a look. It may well change your life. 

So let's help one another to be more informed and empowered, particularly those who may not have seen or heard this information before. I have faith in us. 

Let's spread information, not fear or division. 

Thank you.

Laurie

Van Jones speech:  "Water is Life.  Oil is Water:" 

Robert J. Kennedy Jr. at Standing Rock:  The video below is 17 minutes long, and filled with important information, but the key point made in my blog article is made around 16:00.

The video below at around 4:30 in outlines the risks and dangers of fossil fuels, particularly oil sands. Despite the title, I chose this video because it presents the facts and doesn't go overboard with fear-mongering.

Laurie McCammon is an author, speaker and teacher who speaks on issues of citizen empowerment, paradigm shift and women's leadership.  Her book, Enough!  How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word was publshed by Conari Press April, 2016 and is available in paperback and e-book verisons wherever books are sold.  You can learn more about Laurie at www.WeAreEnough.com

Today, Grieve. Then Get Ready to Become the Change.

Nature reminds us that what looks like a death is an invitation to new life…

Today, Grieve.  Then Get Ready to Become the Change.

By Laurie McCammon

Today is day one post-election for US President.  I was supposed to travel to Massachusetts today to give a talk about the transformative power of the word, “enough.”  I am not going.  

It is not because I am disheartened or despondent, because I am not. I know this may seem odd to say, or even heartless perhaps, but I am holding a larger, stronger vision in my heart, and to me it is far more real and long-lasting than these election results. It is not denial. It is not spiritual bypassing. It is that I have truly unhooked from the Old Story and am firmly rooted in the new. And from this new vantage point, I have something to say. I have strength and positivity in spades to lend, but taking a step back, I realize that most people are not in a place to receive it - at least, not today, not yet.

Let me explain.

My work has been about detecting patterns and tuning into systems as a way to both explain what is going on in our world historically and currently, and to predict what the future trends will be. From my perspective, today is not about bringing my hopeful and deeply grounding message to others.  Why?  Because the majority (if not the entirety) of people I serve are in shock. This is the truth of it, and shock requires space and deep listening, not a talking head speaking about “enough.”

What I know is that this is not a time for speaking a grand new vision, but for being fully present to express and receive our shock and grief and the shock and grief of those around us. A time for hugs, tears and going into the silence. 

Taking the time to go into the silence this morning myself, I was immediately guided to look up the stages of grief, both to inform my decision to postpone my workshop today, but also to understand the election results in general.  What I found has brought me a sense of peace and empowerment which allows my heart to expand and hold space for both those in grief and those angry, fearful Americans who have placed their hopes and expectations in one man - the President-elect.

Below is a summary of those thoughts, which I hope will serve as a glimmer of truth and hope during these dark days of shock, grief and loss.  Despite how things look at the moment, there is no doubt that we are moving into a new world.  From the biggest possible perspective, I want to assure you that who is at the helm as the old world dies is relatively inconsequential. In fact, there is certain kind of synergy about it being a male who perfectly symbolizes the greed, prejudice, entitlement and narcissism of the patriarchy that is dying.  Better that than another woman being burned slowly at the stake for the sins of the patriarchy. As a woman myself, this would have been extremely painful for me to witness in the coming months and years.

I want to tell you, people, that the far bigger news on the horizon is Standing Rock.  This I know deeply in my bones.  Watch what is happening there. You will need to be on social media to know what is going on, because the corporate-owned media has been doing its best to downplay it.  Tribes from all over the world are gathering there. This is a global movement. This is a movement started by women, the fulfillment of a prophecy of the native people of Earth coming together to defeat the "black snake" which they now realize is a symbol for the oil pipelines.  

Standing Rock is a nexus of creation of the new world in another way, as it is100% coherent with the principles of "enough" - protectors rather than protesters, prayers instead of violence, standing for all life, not just for whites, browns, blacks or even just the 99%, caring about future generations and Earth, not for today's profits. Please stand steady and know that the symbolism of the words "standing" and "rock" are no accident. They are a clarion call to our souls to stand together, to stand solid, with each other and with our deepest values of love and compassion, to stay grounded in the simple, basic truths of life, resisting being drawn into the mind-numbing and heart-numbing lies, drummed-up fears and accusations swirling all around us to manipulate our behavior, to divide and conquer us, to make us believe there is not enough and we are not enough. 

Standing Rock.  Stand your ground. Stay grounded. Reaffirm love and compassion and interconnectedness with one another and Earth. Know that the deep source of strength is in our togetherness and belonging to one another and Earth, in our sisterhood and brotherhood at the level of essence. Together we rise. Divided we fall.  Watch the coalition of love building at Standing Rock.  Join it if you can, physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially.  It is what is real. It is what is solid. It nourishes your soul. It is coherent with your deepest wisdom about what is good and what is right. And it is powerful beyond measure.  

Today and in the days ahead, grieve for however long you need to, but then join me, join us in laying the foundations of a new world, a world in which there is enough for everyone, including for future generations and Earth herself.  Remember: the new has always, always been birthed from the fertile fringes, never from the seats of old power. It is so easy to forget that!

When the time is right, I will be ready to share with you how “enough” is the catalyst and the unifying theme of this emerging new world.  I have a very important message to deliver: one which I feel will be needed more than ever. 

Until then, do your inner grief work, be kind to yourselves and others, and know that planetary change is first and foremost an inside job.  It begins with moving through the five stages of grief at the right pace for you, letting go of the old world, and clearing the decks to be a more powerful co-creator of the new. We choose our story with every thought, every emotion we indulge.  You can either believe you are powerful or powerless, that humanity is bad or good.  When you are ready to know how powerful you are, the Enough Message is a tool you will want in your toolbox.

You, me, we are the hidden hope in this election result. In fact, the result has no bearing whatsoever on the global outcome.  We have always been the hidden hope, and our consciousness and spiritual maturity are steadily rising, blossoming, interconnecting.

We truly are enough for this very time on Earth.  Even if you maybe can't believe it just yet, I will hold this truth and this space for a better world as my choice, my perspective. A much better world is coming.  This I can assure you.

Laurie McCammon

Read here my  Facebook post  this morning about grief:

As we process the election results, it occurred to me that not only will those around us be going through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining/guilt, depression/sadness, acceptance), but perhaps what the election shows us is that we as a country and world have been going through these stages in general as our world deteriorates environmentally and economically.  The old economy has been dying and first we had denial, but now the majority are waking up (wikileaks, scandals, bank fraud, etc.) and this means anger is the first step towards letting go of the old and embracing the new.  Anger arises as a search to lay blame on anyone and anything but oneself. It is messy. The next stage of bargaining has also begun – trading a non-establishment vote for the possibility of a different world. But what is establishment and what is not? In bargaining, we must come to terms with this on a much deeper level than we have. The irony of electing a man who perfectly represents the greed and narcissism at the core of our crumbling economy is not lost on me. We cannot skip steps, so maybe this is the hidden message behind this election, that humanity IS moving from denial to anger and bargaining, and this is actually a sign of movement and progress. Can those of us who dwell in peace and love, those who moved through our anger at the old world and into greater action and empowerment,  hold a space for the future to be born, AND space enough for the necessity for others to make the auspicious move from denial to anger and bargaining?  We are getting there.  Really.

Graphic for you of the Stages of Grief:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/greatsenecacreekes/Stages%20of%20Grief.pdf

Laurie McCammon is author and teacher of  Enough! How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word by Conari Press (April, 2016) Comments welcome info@lauriemccammon.com   www.weareenough.com

Today, Grieve. Then Get Ready to Become the Change.

Nature reminds us that what looks like a death is an invitation to new life…

Today, Grieve.  Then Get Ready to Become the Change.

By Laurie McCammon

Today is day one post-election for US President.  I was supposed to travel to Massachusetts today to give a talk about the transformative power of the word, “enough.”  I am not going.  

It is not because I am disheartened or despondent, because I am not. I know this may seem odd to say, or even heartless perhaps, but I am holding a larger, stronger vision in my heart, and to me it is far more real and long-lasting than these election results. It is not denial. It is not spiritual bypassing. It is that I have truly unhooked from the Old Story and am firmly rooted in the new. And from this new vantage point, I have something to say. I have strength and positivity in spades to lend, but taking a step back, I realize that most people are not in a place to receive it - at least, not today, not yet.

Let me explain.

My work has been about detecting patterns and tuning into systems as a way to both explain what is going on in our world historically and currently, and to predict what the future trends will be. From my perspective, today is not about bringing my hopeful and deeply grounding message to others.  Why?  Because the majority (if not the entirety) of people I serve are in shock. This is the truth of it, and shock requires space and deep listening, not a talking head speaking about “enough.”

What I know is that this is not a time for speaking a grand new vision, but for being fully present to express and receive our shock and grief and the shock and grief of those around us. A time for hugs, tears and going into the silence. 

Taking the time to go into the silence this morning myself, I was immediately guided to look up the stages of grief, both to inform my decision to postpone my workshop today, but also to understand the election results in general.  What I found has brought me a sense of peace and empowerment which allows my heart to expand and hold space for both those in grief and those angry, fearful Americans who have placed their hopes and expectations in one man - the President-elect.

Below is a summary of those thoughts, which I hope will serve as a glimmer of truth and hope during these dark days of shock, grief and loss.  Despite how things look at the moment, there is no doubt that we are moving into a new world.  From the biggest possible perspective, I want to assure you that who is at the helm as the old world dies is relatively inconsequential. In fact, there is certain kind of synergy about it being a male who perfectly symbolizes the greed, prejudice, entitlement and narcissism of the patriarchy that is dying.  Better that than another woman being burned slowly at the stake for the sins of the patriarchy. As a woman myself, this would have been extremely painful for me to witness in the coming months and years.

I want to tell you, people, that the far bigger news on the horizon is Standing Rock.  This I know deeply in my bones.  Watch what is happening there. You will need to be on social media to know what is going on, because the corporate-owned media has been doing its best to downplay it.  Tribes from all over the world are gathering there. This is a global movement. This is a movement started by women, the fulfillment of a prophecy of the native people of Earth coming together to defeat the "black snake" which they now realize is a symbol for the oil pipelines.  

Standing Rock is a nexus of creation of the new world in another way, as it is100% coherent with the principles of "enough" - protectors rather than protesters, prayers instead of violence, standing for all life, not just for whites, browns, blacks or even just the 99%, caring about future generations and Earth, not for today's profits. Please stand steady and know that the symbolism of the words "standing" and "rock" are no accident. They are a clarion call to our souls to stand together, to stand solid, with each other and with our deepest values of love and compassion, to stay grounded in the simple, basic truths of life, resisting being drawn into the mind-numbing and heart-numbing lies, drummed-up fears and accusations swirling all around us to manipulate our behavior, to divide and conquer us, to make us believe there is not enough and we are not enough. 

Standing Rock.  Stand your ground. Stay grounded. Reaffirm love and compassion and interconnectedness with one another and Earth. Know that the deep source of strength is in our togetherness and belonging to one another and Earth, in our sisterhood and brotherhood at the level of essence. Together we rise. Divided we fall.  Watch the coalition of love building at Standing Rock.  Join it if you can, physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially.  It is what is real. It is what is solid. It nourishes your soul.  And it is powerful beyond measure.  

Today and in the days ahead, grieve for however long you need to, but then join me, join us in laying the foundations of a new world, a world in which there is enough for everyone, including for future generations and Earth herself.  Remember: the new has always, always been birthed from the fertile fringes, never from the seats of old power. It is so easy to forget that!

When the time is right, I will be ready to share with you how “enough” is the catalyst and the unifying theme of this emerging new world.  I have a very important message to deliver: one which I feel will be needed more than ever. 

Until then, do your inner grief work, be kind to yourselves and others, and know that planetary change is first and foremost an inside job.  It begins with moving through the five stages of grief at the right pace for you, letting go of the old world, and clearing the decks to be a more powerful co-creator of the new. We choose our story with every thought, every emotion we indulge.  You can either believe you are powerful or powerless, that humanity is bad or good.  When you are ready to know how powerful you are, the Enough Message is a tool you will want in your toolbox.

You, me, we are the hidden hope in this election result. In fact, the result has no bearing whatsoever on the global outcome.  We have always been the hidden hope, and our consciousness and spiritual maturity are steadily rising, blossoming, interconnecting.

We truly are enough for this very time on Earth.  Even if you maybe can't believe it just yet, I will hold this truth and this space for a better world. It is coming.  This I can assure you.

Laurie McCammon

Read here my  Facebook post  this morning about grief:

As we process the election results, it occurred to me that not only will those around us be going through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining/guilt, depression/sadness, acceptance), but perhaps what the election shows us is that we as a country and world have been going through these stages in general as our world deteriorates environmentally and economically.  The old economy has been dying and first we had denial, but now the majority are waking up (wiki leaks, scandals, bank fraud, etc.) and this means anger is the first step towards letting go of the old and embracing the new.  Anger arises as a search to lay blame on anyone and anything but oneself. It is messy. The next stage of bargaining has also begun – trading a non-establishment vote for the possibility of a different world. But what is establishment and what is not? In bargaining, we must come to terms with this on a much deeper level than we have. The irony of electing a man who perfectly represents the greed and narcissism at the core of our crumbling economy is not lost on me. We cannot skip steps, so maybe this is the hidden message behind this election, that humanity IS moving from denial to anger and bargaining, and this is actually a sign of movement and progress. Can those of us who dwell in peace and love, those who moved through our anger at the old world and into greater action and empowerment,  hold a space for the future to be born, AND space enough for the necessity for others to make the auspicious move from denial to anger and bargaining?  We are getting there.  Really.

Graphic for you of the Stages of Grief:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/greatsenecacreekes/Stages%20of%20Grief.pdf

Laurie McCammon is author and teacher of  Enough! How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word by Conari Press (April, 2016) Comments welcome info@lauriemccammon.com   www.weareenough.com